Russia and Venezuela have blocked access to the encrypted messaging app Signal, citing concerns over its use for terrorist and extremist purposes. In Russia, the move follows a broader crackdown on dissent and free media since the invasion of Ukraine, with users facing glitches and being unable to register new accounts without a VPN. Venezuela's block comes amid contested presidential election results, sparking protests and arrests. Both countries have also targeted other social media platforms, including YouTube and X, to control the flow of information. Signal has recommended its users enable its censorship circumvention feature to bypass these blocks.